Sunday, February 27, 2011

From the movie Love StoryWords by Carl Sigman, Music by Francis LaiSung by Andy Williams

Where do I beginTo tell the story of how great a love can beThe sweet love story that is older than the seaThe simple truth about the love she brings to meWhere do I start

With her first helloShe gave new meaning to this empty world of mineThere'd never be another love, another timeShe came into my life and made the living fineShe fills my heart

2

She fills my heart with very special thingsWith angels' songs , with wild imaginingsShe fills my soul with so much loveThat anywhere I go I'm never lonelyWith her around, who could be lonelyI reach for her hand-it's always there

How long does it lastCan love be measured by the hours in a dayI have no answers now but this much I can sayI know I'll need her till the stars all burn awayAnd she'll be there

How long does it lastCan love be measured by the hours in a dayI have no answers now but this much I can sayI know I'll need her till the stars all burn awayAnd she'll be there

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Besides the information in the above, one of George Washington's favorite foods was ice cream. He like it so much that he had two 'coolers' installed at Mount Vernon in order that he and guests could eat as much ice cream as they chose. This man had taste.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Kingston Trio original members were Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds

It was a summer in the late 1950's. I was 16, had my driver's license, and I was working. Except for work, which was more like play because I was a counselor in a day camp, my time was my own and I could pretty much make my own schedule. On Thursday nights the counselors met to have supper and discuss the happenings of the camp week. Afterwards the group would go to the movies, swim, play putt-putt or sometimes just sit around and talk and eat pizza. Some of the counselors were all ready in college so I felt pretty grown up by being a part of this pact. I felt self reliant, dependable, knew what was going on, and much more together than my parents were. Or so I thought.

At the same time American folk music was becoming The Music across the nation. From California's beach club scene, the Kingston Trio had arrived as one of the most popular folk music groups and already gaining international popularity. Their music was everywhere - records (r-e-c-o-r-d-s, if you are younger than 30 you might have to look it up), radio and TV. Everywhere, so why did I not know? It was my father (why/how did HE know), my father that clued me in when he gave me their album "The Kingston Trio." That was the first of a soon to be collection. Thank you, Dad.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Combining a gentle voice with a pleasant personality, Como celebrated in life and in song romantic love and lifelong fidelity. He parlayed these values and his ability to express them in song into one of the most successful careers in twentieth-century popular entertainment. http://www.perrycomo.com/

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE

It's impossible, tell the sun to leave the sky, it's just impossible1

It's impossible, ask a baby not to cry, it's just impossible2

Can I hold you closer to me and not feel you goin' through me?3

Split the second that I never think of you? Oh, how impossible

Can the ocean keep from rushin' to the shore? It's just impossible4

If I had you, could I ever want for more? It's just impossible

And tomorrow, shouldya ask me for the world, somehow I'd get itI would sell my very soul and not regret it5

For to live without your love--It's just impossible

Can the ocean keep from rushin' to the shore? It's just impossible

6

If I had you, could I ever want for more? It's just impossible

And tomorrow, shouldya ask me for the world, somehow I'd get itI would sell my very soul and not regret it7

Friday, February 11, 2011

Sound logic would have had me check the county records to see who owned the house, and possibly find out other information. Tossing sound logic aside I drove back to the property and knocked on the door of the house closest to the gates.

The curtains were drawn, no one came to the door, and there was not one chair on the big front porch. I had the feeling that no one lived there anymore, but I knew that something was going on due to the sign beside a tree in front of the house.

As I started back to my car a gentleman came from the house next door. Though I wasn't doing anything wrong I would not have been surprised if he had asked me to leave. Instead he ask if he could help. Well, he just happened to be related to the family that had lived in the house where I had just been. I was so glad that I had not tried to peep through the windows. He was very nice and did not seem to mind my questions. This is what I learned.

The county dates this tree to be 300 years old. They are trying to save it, but I am concerned that the road will come very close to the roots.

Children used to scamper, squeal and play under the arbor behind the house. Now it stands unattended.

There is no sign indicating that this tree will be saved, but it does have its own legacy. You can see the cement cover where there was once a well. An acorn found its way to this site and grew into a mature tree. One day without warning the ground gave way and the tree dropped about eight feet into the ground. Dirt was shoveled in around the tree truck to fill the hole and it was expected that the in time the tree would die. That was thirty years ago.

And now the rest of the story

Once upon a time two families lived next door to each other and the husbands and wives were very good friends. Many years went by and each couple lost their spouse - one becoming a widower, and one becoming a widow. To the delight of their children the two later became more than friends, fell in love, were married, and were very happy together. He moved into the house where she lived which was the farm house her ancestors had built in the 1800's.

After some time the gentleman decided to show his love for her by building a fine home on the grounds where they lived. He wanted her to have a house that would mirror those from an earlier era; a style that he knew she admired. He researched books and talked with professionals to find out all the details, small and large, so the house would be a true replica.

Because it was taking time to gather the information and convert the data to actual plans, he decided that he would go ahead and put in a more substantial set of gates where the path led from the road to the barn located toward the back of the property. They were looking forward to the day when construction would begin on their new home, and even more excited about moving in.

In the lower right hand corner you can see the gates, and the path that ambles to the northwest where a barn used to be. The pathway then goes south between two houses and back to the road.

Some stories do not proceed the way you would choose, and I wish I could change this one. Just before the ground breaking was to occur his lady love took sick and died. He had no interest in going further with the plans in which he had invested so much time and work. This house was to be a present for his wife, and without her it meant nothing. He would rather live in the old farm house where they had shared happiness together.

Time went on and he too passed away. Later their children decided to sell the property to the county for the purpose of developing a park.

Today the gates are closed and padlocked, much the way you bundle your memories and tie them with a blue ribbon.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Have you ever had a nagging question about something you have seen for years, and one day you say to yourself, "OK that's it. I am going to find out more about this. It may not be my business, but...so."

Let me introduce The Gates. These have been in my periphery vision every time I drive down this particular road, and I do not remember when they were not there.

Closed and padlocked. From this angle you may not be able to tell it, but there is no real drive on the other side, and it has been this way for years. There is only the path that the grass mower has made. From where I took this picture there is no evidence that there were ever any structures there.

I wonder if there used to be a house? If so what happened to it? Nothing left behind to give you any inkling.

With those famous words in mind: Tomorrow is another day I aim to find out what was once behind the wrought iron gates.

and a cake of hand made chocolate soap. One whiff - no doubt - its cocoa. My husband said,"You mean I can't eat it?" I wish it were possible to put a scratch-and-sniff patch here so you could tell just how delicious it smells.

But that was not all. Teresa had these extra gifts that she decided later to add. Sometimes things just get better and better.

She made this Valentine tag which is constructed with a smaller tag on the larger tag,

and this beautiful Valentine ATC.

This is the equivalent of getting a Valentine early. Thank you, Teresa.